par far wrote:
I think the one thing that Iran urgently needs is fighter jets
Right its US F-4s and F-14s are around 50 years old.
...and Russia is the only country that Iran can turn to but I don't think that Iran will get the SU 30sm(or the upgraded version) or SU 35s or any of Russian fighter jets. There is too much pressure on Russia to not give Iran any major weapon systems.
I'm not sure what the problem is but I have doubts it's pressure, inasmuch as Russia is already alienated from the west over Ukraine. According to one report I saw, it stems from limited Iranian funds. Tehran wanted Moscow to give it technology to produce spare parts for SU-35s so it wouldn't have to keep buying costly spares. But Russia didn't agree...
If Iran had the SU 30sm(or the upgraded version) or SU 35s, it may have helped.
Inability to get the SU-35 now might be a blessing in disguise if a better, 5th generation alternative becomes available in a few years.
All Iran can do now is, support it's allies the best it can and play the long game. The long game has been the most effective for Iran.
Right.